Thursday, February 2, 2012

J/122 LITHIUM Wins Cockburn Sound Regatta

J/122 sailing off Perth, West Australia (Rockingham, Western Australia)- The 54th annual Cockburn Sound Regatta was sailed in fantastic conditions off Rockingham, Western Australia from December 26 to 30, 2011.  The six race format consisted of three windward-leeward and three “around the buoys” courses including one 34nm passage race.  Division 1 IRC entries ranged from a  Marten 49 to a Beneteau 34.7.  The J/122 LITHIUM performed consistently with three first placings to clinch the win (on countback).

The coolest part about LITHIUM's success?  It was primarily an all-family affair, with all the crew sleeping on-board the moored boat during the regatta-- highlighting the dual nature of these superb racer/cruisers!

The Monkhouse family team of Graeme and Heather, plus their two teenage sons, was supplemented by another teenager to round out the crew of only five people.  Said Graeme about their family team, "Although relatively short-handed the enthusiastic crew performed brilliantly, including a flawless asymmetric kite peel to a code zero!"  Fantastic. The stuff of legends.  Yet another "David & Goliath" story for the record books-- one that proud J/122 owners seemingly do on a routine basis!